Are you a registered nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) looking to specialize in the complex care of critically ill children? The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Masters Of Science Graduate Program, offered as a post-master’s certificate, provides advanced training to equip you with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this demanding and rewarding field.
This rigorous program is meticulously crafted for working professionals, offering a flexible hybrid learning model that blends the convenience of online education with essential in-person experiences. Spanning four semesters, the curriculum utilizes weekly synchronous and asynchronous learning activities, complemented by individually tailored clinical rotations across diverse pediatric acute care settings. Through this comprehensive approach, you will master the crucial elements of managing pediatric patients with acute and chronic illnesses. The program requires the completion of 540-720 hours of supervised clinical practice, ensuring hands-on expertise.
Instruction is provided by doctorally prepared nurse educators and leading experts in the field of acute care pediatrics. The curriculum incorporates a rich blend of learning methodologies, including hands-on skills labs, realistic simulation exercises, and insightful lectures. These diverse educational experiences are strategically integrated with clinical rotations to cultivate a holistic and profound understanding of acute care pediatric nursing.
This post-master’s certificate program is specifically designed for nurses who already hold an MSN in another specialty and seek advanced expertise in acute care pediatrics. Upon successful completion of this acute care nurse practitioner masters of science graduate program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the prestigious Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB) certification exam for Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (AC PNP). It’s important to note that this program culminates in a post-master’s certificate, not a second master’s degree, recognizing the focused and specialized nature of the advanced coursework. The curriculum is meticulously aligned with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) curriculum guidelines, ensuring the highest standards of nurse practitioner education. Furthermore, the program incorporates all necessary coursework mandated by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) to qualify graduates as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) within Texas. For comprehensive details regarding APN status requirements, please consult the BON website.
To be considered for admission to the acute care nurse practitioner masters of science graduate program, applicants must hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree and possess a minimum of two years of recent full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse in a pediatric environment.
Upon acceptance into the program, a thorough gap analysis of your prior master’s level coursework will be conducted to precisely determine the specific course requirements for your individualized program plan. We encourage you to learn more about this exciting opportunity by visiting our graduate information sessions webpage.
Clinical rotations are an indispensable component of the APRN curriculum. The dedicated clinical placement student services team collaborates closely with program faculty to identify and secure suitable preceptors and clinical sites for every student. Rigorous evaluation of both clinical sites and preceptors is conducted by faculty to guarantee that all clinical experiences are directly relevant to course objectives and certification prerequisites, thereby ensuring a valuable and productive clinical education.
To explore further advanced practice nursing options, please visit Advance Practice Nursing for more information on APN programs.
